This air fryer meatloaf recipe makes juicy BBQ cheddar mini meatloaves in just 15 minutes. It's a healthy, family-friendly twist on classic comfort food!
If you love classic comfort food but want a quicker, healthier, and more flavorful version, this Air Fryer Meatloaf is for you! These BBQ Cheddar Mini Meatloaves are tender, juicy, and packed with smoky barbecue flavor and melty cheddar cheese. Best of all, they cook in just 15 minutes in the air fryer—making them perfect for busy weeknights.
And here’s a bonus: because I make individual meatloaves, they cook faster and portion control is much easier. Plus, kids love having their own little cheddar meatloaf.
Check out my full air fryer recipe collection for more tasty recipes.
Learn how to adapt any recipe to cook in your air fryer! Read my Easy Oven to Air Fryer Conversion Guide and get my helpful conversion chart!
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- Fast & Easy – ready in half the time of oven-baked meatloaf
- Cheesy BBQ Goodness – flavored with tangy barbecue sauce and studded with melty cheddar cheese
- Perfectly Portioned – mini BBQ loaves make serving easy and family-friendly; plus it's instant portion control!
- Versatile Cooking – make this barbecue meatloaf in the air fryer or oven
- Healthier Comfort Food – made with lean ground beef, wholesome ingredients, and better-for-you barbecue sauce options
Doctor’s Tips
As a physician and chef, I love finding ways to keep classic comfort foods both satisfying and nutritious. Here are a few ways this recipe does just that:
- Lean Protein: Using 93% lean ground beef cuts down on saturated fat while keeping the meatloaf juicy. You can also swap in ground turkey.
- Smarter Barbecue Sauce Choices:
When I have time, I like to make homemade BBQ sauce for dishes like my slow cooker BBQ pulled chicken or BBQ chicken stuffed sweet potatoes. But for convenience, store-bought sauces are fine—just read the label carefully. Many of them are loaded with sugar (sometimes high fructose corn syrup is the first ingredient) and a hefty amount of sodium. For a healthier choice, look for sauces with less than 10g sugar per 2-tablespoon serving.- Some of my go-to brands are:
- Balanced Meal: Pair your meatloaf with a veggie side (like roasted broccoli or a fresh salad) to round out the meal.
Ingredients
Ingredient notes and substitutions. See recipe card at the end of the post for full recipe details.
- Lean Ground Beef (93%) – I use 93% lean ground beef, which is still juicy but lighter than full-fat beef. You can substitute ground turkey.
- Barbecue Sauce – For mixing into the meatloaves and brushing on top (see my healthier picks for store-bought sauce above in the "Doctor's Tips" section); or you can use homemade BBQ sauce
- Cheese – provides melty goodness in every bite; I use cheddar or cheddar jack
- Breadcrumbs – panko breadcrumbs helps bind the loaves while keeping them light (use gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed)
Equipment
You can make these barbecue cheddar meatloaves in the air fryer or oven.
Best Air Fryer
Looking for an air fryer? I love the Ninja Max XL 5.5 quart Air Fryer. The large basket is perfect for a family of four.
How To Cook Meatloaf In The Air Fryer Step-By-Step
See recipe card at the end of the post for full recipe details.
- Step 1- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, onion, egg, breadcrumbs, cheese, seasonings, and 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce.
- Step 2- Divide the mixture into four equal portions and form into small loaves. Place them in the air fryer basket preheated to 360°F.
- Step 3- Brush tops with the remaining barbecue sauce.
- Step 4- Cook 12–15 minutes until internal temp reaches 165°F as checked with a meat thermometer.
- Oven Method (Optional)- If cooking meatloaves in the oven, preheat oven to 400°F. Place loaves on a lined baking sheet, brush with barbecue sauce, and bake 22–25 minutes until done.
Chef's Tips
- Don’t overmix the meat: This can make the loaves tough. Mix just until combined.
- Check for Doneness: Always use a meat thermometer—165°F is the magic number.
- Make Ahead Dish: Shape the BBQ mini meatloaves in advance and refrigerate. Cook just before serving.
- Serving Idea: Pair this air fryer meatloaf with my crispy air fryer diced potatoes or frozen sweet potato fries and a salad for a full air fryer dinner.
- Meal Prep Ready: Slice leftovers for sandwiches the next day or enjoy on top of a salad.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs or ground gluten-free oats as the binder.
Absolutely—just keep an eye on cooking time since turkey dries out faster.
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes or microwave for 1 minute.
Yes! Freeze cooked mini meatloaves in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat in the air fryer.
This can happen if fat drips into the heating element. Using lean meat should prevent this problem but you can also a place a disposable parchment liner or reusable silicone liner in the basket.
Recommended Air Fryer Accessories
Line your air fryer basket with these reusable perforated silicone mats. You can buy square or round mats. The holes allow hot air to circulate around the food prevent it from sticking.
You can also line your air fryer basket with one-time-use perforated parchment sheets. They come in different shapes, sizes and colors- white or brown (unbleached).
This EVO oil sprayer is perfect for evenly spraying your food and air fryer basket with oil. It doesn't clog up like many other brands.
Want To Master Your Air Fryer?
More Air Fryer Recipes and Resources
- How To Reheat Food in an Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Why You Need An Air Fryer In Your Life
- Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
- Easy Oven to Air Fryer Conversion Guide
- How to Cook Frozen Chicken Tenders or Nuggets in the Air Fryer
- Best Air Fryer Safe Dishes- The Ultimate Guide
Recipe
Air Fryer Meatloaf (BBQ Cheddar Mini Meatloaves)
Ingredients
- 1 lb. 93% lean ground beef
- ¼ medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 large egg
- 6 tablespoons barbecue sauce, divided use *see note
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup (about 2 oz) cheddar or cheddar jack cheese, diced into small cubes
Instructions
- Place the ground beef, onion, egg, 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, salt, pepper and cheese together in a large bowl and mix until combined.
- Divide the mixture into four equal portions and form them into loaves.
To cook meatloaves in the air fryer:
- Preheat air fryer to 360°F. Place the meatloaves in the air fryer basket (you can use an air fryer liner for easy clean up). Brush the top of each meatloaf with 1 tablespoon of barbecue sauce.
- Cook for 12-15 minutes until cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F, as checked with a meat thermometer. Cool slightly before serving.
To cook meatloaves in the oven:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Place the meatloaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Brush the top of each meatloaf with 1 tablespoon of barbecue sauce.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes until cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F, as checked with a meat thermometer. Cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Many store-bought brands of barbecue sauce are loaded with sugar (sometimes high fructose corn syrup is the first ingredient) and a hefty amount of sodium. For a healthier choice, look for sauces with less than 10g sugar per 2-tablespoon serving. Some of my go-to brands are:
-
- If you're looking for a homemade BBQ sauce recipe, you can make my homemade BBQ sauce.
- Don’t overmix the meat: This can make the loaves tough. Mix just until combined.
- Check for Doneness: Always use a meat thermometer—165°F is the magic number.
- Serving Idea: Pair this air fryer meatloaf with my crispy air fryer diced potatoes or frozen sweet potato fries and a salad for a full air fryer dinner.
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